A plurality of sensors observe an object, and the raw sensor data is processed to produce evidence signals representative of characteristics which may be used to classify the object as to type. The evidence from the plurality of sensors is fused to generate fused or combined evidence. Thus, the fused evidence is equivalent to signals produced by a virtual sensor. The fused evidence is applied to a taxonomic classifier to determine the object type.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the benefit of the priority date of Provisional Application No. 60/477,305, filed Jun. 10, 2003.
A sensor includes transducer(s) for observing a region, and produces raw data representing the observed object. The raw data is processed to produce evidence signals representing one or more characteristics of the object. Taxonomic (type) classification is performed by a method using N Bernoulli trials.
An active or passive sensor observes a region, and generates evidence of the type of target or object viewed. The evidence is processed to determine the prior probability that the object is of a particular type. The prior probability so determined is thresholded to produce an indication of the presence of multiple targets or objects in a range bin, suggestive of shadowing of a target.
